MPASA Children's Nutrition Program
Early Morning Preparations
The staff begin their day very early, committed to preparing meal for the children attending the morning school session. Unlike conventional kitchens equipped with cafeteria facilities and commercial stoves, the staff here must prepare two fires for the cooking pots. This work takes place under a tin roof, exposed on the sides to the open air.
While two staff members focus on getting the fires started, others carry large bags of grain and sugar, along with cooking pots and paddles for stirring. The presence of a freshwater well on the property is a tremendous advantage, allowing water to be easily transported in small jugs to the cooking area.
Background and Establishment
In 2001, the Congo Partnership was officially launched to address urgent needs arising from the refugee crisis of the late 1990s. The Mpasa Medical & Nutrition Center, located in a refugee area outside Kinshasa, became a central focus of this initiative. The Center had originally been started by UMCOR (United Methodist Committee of Relief) to provide relief to refugees fleeing from South Sudan, Angola, and eastern Congo during this tumultuous period.
Ongoing Support and Impact
Since its inception in 2001, the Congo Partnership has continued to support the Mpasa Medical & Nutrition Center. One of the core services provided is a nutrition program for children in the community.
Currently, the program feeds approximately 190 to 230 children, five days a week, ensuring that vulnerable young people receive consistent and reliable nourishment.
Children that are severely malnourished are placed in a special nutrition program with a supplement provided by World Vision.
Preparing for Serving
As the cooks work together on the meal, other staff members carry serving bowls and spoons to the building where the children’s meals will be served. Bread is provided by the government to accompany the meal. As children begin to arrive, they are organized, seating them in rows on the floor in preparation for their meal.
When the food is ready, two staff members carry the hot, heavy pots inside the building to begin serving.
Mealtime Rituals
Before eating, the children sing a song of blessing, and one child is chosen to bless the meal. Afterward, the staff begin serving, and the children receive their bowls, gathering in groups to enjoy their meal with friends.
